I respectfully suggest that the time has come for the New York Bar to consider disciplinary proceedings against Rudy Giuliani. He has constantly and intentionally misrepresented both the facts and the law regarding the Mueller investigation. He has disparaged and falsely accused the FBI of misconduct and maligned its dedicated agents and lawyers. No matter one’s views of the investigation, those toiling in it deserve better. All of this conduct by Mr. Giuliani would be despicable enough if it came from any lawyer, but it is more reprehensible because it emanates from a former U.S. Attorney and current counsel to the President of the United States. I have been a member of the bar for 65 years, practiced as a lawyer, served on the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals, and in my entire professional life, I have never witnessed such an unseemly and unprofessional performance (because that is what it is) from someone who knows better and was previously held in high esteem. In addition to his own public statements, he has remained silent in the face of his client’s own disparagement of the law enforcement community and all those who devote their lives to maintaining its integrity and our safety.

The president praises a convicted felon for not cooperating with law enforcement and condemns one who has cooperated, and Mr. Giuliani remains silent. The president characterizes John Dean who was responsible for the disclosure of Richard Nixon’s criminal conduct as a “rat,” and Mr. Giuliani remains silent. The president has now added his own, longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, to his “rat” list. The president suggests that cooperating with law enforcement might well be deemed illegal, and Mr. Giuliani remains silent.